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A video is being widely shared on social media in which groups of saffron-clad persons throwing stones at each other.
People sharing the video are insinuating that it shows Hindus protesting by pelting stones.
A social media user shared the video with the caption, “Are stone pelters now being identified by their clothes?” (Translated from Hindi).
SouthCheck found that the claim was misleading. We found that the viral video shows people celebrating the Bagwal fair in Uttarakhand.
On observing the video, we saw the text ‘Bagwal 2024’ overlayed on it.
Taking a hint, we searched with appropriate keywords and found the same video shared by an Instagram account on August 20, 2024.
A YouTube channel also uploaded the video on August 19, 2024, mentioning that the viral video is of Bagwal Fair 2024.
ETV Bharat also reported about the fair on August 16, 2024.
Moreover, we found Amar Ujala and Dainik Jagran had also reported about the incident.
We compared a screenshot of the viral video with the image published in the report and could see the similarities between them. For example, in the viral video and the image published by Amar Ujala, one can see the arcs in the ground with a red flag on it. Similarly, one can also see that people are dancing and pelting stones. We can also see the top of the temple decorated with flowers.
According to Amar Ujala, the fair happens in Varahi Dham Devidhura in Champawat district of Uttarakhand on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan on the premises of Maa Varahi Dham temple.
The report also said that as part of the ritual, those participating in this people throw fruits, flowers or stones at each other.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral video shows a ritual in Uttarakhand and not a protest by Hindus.
